Highway-Rail Crossing Handbook

Third Edition

The purpose of the Highway-Rail Crossing Handbook, 3rd Edition is an information resource developed to provide a unified reference document on prevalent and best practices as well as adopted standards relative to highway-rail grade crossings.

by Kimley-Horn Planning and Design Engineering Consultants

The purpose of the Highway-Rail Crossing Handbook, 3rd Edition is an information resource developed to provide a unified reference document on prevalent and best practices as well as adopted standards relative to highway-rail grade crossings. The handbook provides general information on highway-rail crossings; characteristics of the crossing environment and users; and physical and operational changes that can be made at crossings to enhance the safety and operation of both highway and rail traffic over such intersections. The guidelines identified and potential alternative improvements presented in this handbook reflect current best practices nationwide.

This handbook supersedes the Railroad-Highway Grade Crossing Handbook—Revised Second Edition published in August 2007. This version includes a compendium of materials that were included in the previous one, supplemented with new information and applicable regulations in force that were available at the time of the update.

Note: This document summarizes current practices but does not set standards; practitioners are advised to check current local standards and requirements (refer to Disclaimer and Quality Assurance Statement). Users of the data provided within this document should anticipate possible variations from current information within the FRA databases, which are updated monthly.

Attached document published November 2019

About the Author


One of the nation's premier planning and design consulting firms.

Webinars on YouTube that you might like

Community Driven: How Engagement Guides the Vision and Planning of a Community Wide Trail Network

Apr 25, 2024

With an emphasis on community wide trail networks, the best practices explored in this session will better equip professionals and community members toward creating vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable communities through trail development.

Six Steps to Build a TrailNation™

Mar 28, 2024

This webinar will highlight the six actionable strategies for building trail networks, as noted in Rails to Trails Conservancy’s TrailNation™ Playbook.

More resources in this category

Benchmarking Bike Networks

posted Apr 17, 2024

This report summarizes guidance and best practices to create safer bicycle facilities and connect them into networks that allow more people to safely bike to more places within and throughout communities.

Making Transportation Planning Applicable in Tribal Communities Research Study: Final Report

posted Dec 20, 2023

The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Office of Tribal Transportation (OTT) planning staff have observed two challenges in Tribal transportation planning: (1) that existing planning analysis tools do not always align with Tribal community context and needs and (2) it is not always clear what benefits planning provides to transportation project selection and delivery in Tribal communities.

Tribal Development of Trails and Other Dedicated Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure

posted Dec 19, 2023

This white paper provides information and resources for Tribes, Tribal trails and active transportation advocates, and agencies that may partner with Tribes on trail projects including Federal and State agencies, MPOs, county and local governments, and community organizations.

Rails to Trails Conservancy's TrailNation™ Playbook

posted Dec 13, 2023

Rails to Trails Conservancy's TrailNation™ Playbook brings the decades of experience building trail networks across the country to a resource of case studies, best practices and tools for trail network development on a local and national level.


648 views • posted 02/14/2022